Arrangements

3

A YEAR LATER

When Sakura is ten, she visits her future new home for the first time. She knows all she could have learned about it, of course - or, at least it seems that way to her. It's a powerful Hidden Village of ninja, and the hometown of her future husband. What she knows, she has read about, or been told about. Itachi has spoken of Konoha to her with pride and visions - of what it has been, and what it could become - while her mother speaks of it with suitable admiration sometimes tempered with subtle criticism. Sakura is excited, however, to learn Konoha on her own and make her own impressions. She has been taught to observe, and she is eager to see what she will find. Anxious, too, because what if she doesn't like it? However, it has Itachi in it, so there will always be something there for her. She has time to learn it, to grow to appreciate it, she thinks. As she and her bodyguards make their way closer to the Hidden Village, Sakura thinks that if nothing else, it is very, very pretty there.

Lush, green trees and thick grass, the forest filled with flourishing fauna and flora, surrounds Konoha. A bright blue sky, with white clouds and a bright sun watches over it. Her skin feels warm and flushed from the journey and the sun, her head light with the pleasant air she's breathing it. The scents and sounds surrounding her is making her excited. So much to explore! The Land of Fire is beautiful, she knows. It is just as green and lovely where she comes from, but it is different. It feels secret, and mysterious, compared to her own town which is in constant movement: travelling salesmen and tourists, a trading town by heart.

Looking upon the gates of Konoha, Sakura cannot help but feel like she's on an adventure. Tucked away deep in the forest, walls high and intimidating, Konoha greets her with an entourage of what she assumes are ninja. Her own ninja bodyguards are on alert - mother sent her with the best - and Sakura tries not to feel resentful. She's growing up, she doesn't want to feel like she's being babysat, but she is smart. She knows her own strength, something Itachi had said was one of the most important things to know: understand your limitations, so you may one day move beyond them. Respecting the boy she had befriended in just a week - and grown to adore through a mere year-long correspondence - Sakura has taken those words to heart. If she had gone alone on this trip, she would not have survived the ambush they suffered three days ago, after all. Five Sound Nin, and she has barely managed to dodge the barricade of kunai the rained down upon her and her group suddenly that night. Her bodyguards - Kei, Matsuri, Kumi and Shiro - had delivered swift retribution. Sakura still found each of them eyeing her grimly afterwards, the feeling of failure on their part obvious. The scratch on Sakura's left arm should not be there, they insisted. Mentally rolling her eyes at the foolishness of adults, Sakura prepares herself. She recognises the clan symbol some of the Konoha ninjas are sporting. Hopeful, she scans their faces for a familiar one.

"Itachi!" she exclaims, property momentarily forgotten as she taken in the sight of her now fifteen-year old fiancé. She knows she's smiling widely at the boy, her excitement apparent to all around her. She hears Kumi chuckle, sees some of the Konoha Nin smirk, or sport expressions of disapproval or curiosity. All she cares about, however, is Itachi. As she draws nearer, she can clearly make out his face and the way he is smiling ever so slightly.

"Sakura, welcome," he greets her, bowing politely. Quickly, she follows suit, wanting this part over with quickly.

"Thank you for having me!" she replies before straightening up and sending him a mischievous smile. Before she can stop herself, she darts forward to circle her arms around his waist - she is still so short - and hug him tightly. He returns it awkwardly, and she dances out of his personal space before it becomes awkward, aware of the people around them. She's missed her friend, and she is so excited to see his hometown through his eyes.

"I trust your journey went well," Itachi inquires, eyeing her and her bodyguards with keen eyes. She can see them narrowing as he taken in the traces the ambush left behind; torn clothing, dirt and dried blood, as well as the protective huddle of her bodyguards around her. She hurries to reassure him.

"It went fine! Nothing my guards couldn't handle, they're the best!" she smiles proudly, looking them over. She sees the disapproval in their eyes, but only Shiro speaks up.

"We were ambushed by five Sound Nin, Lord Uchiha. Two were killed, one managed to escape, and the third we got as many answers out of as we could before disposing of him. We were instructed by Lady Mebuki to bring any information to the Hokage, should something like this occur. With your permission, Lord Uchiha, Lady Sakura, may I be excused to report to the Hokage?"

Sakura quickly gave hers, nudging Itachi when he seemed to be hesitating. Shiro soon left, flash-stepping away.

"We will need to report to the Hokage ourselves, of course," Itachi comments, gesturing for her to walk with him through the gates of Konoha. Their entourage followed, silent and imposing. "However, he gave you a day to rest and get settled in. We shall visit his office tomorrow."

Sakura nods in understanding, excited and busy taking everything in as they entered deeper into the village. So pretty! Bigger and more busy than she expected, somehow, but the bustling activity of people was familiar. But so many ninjas! Of so many ages!

"Can we visit the Ninja Academy after, Itachi?" she asks, too eager to wait with the request. She's so curious about it, having been privately tutored at her home since before she can remember. She hasn't had any classmates, nor many friends her own age. The concept of a classroom teaching was exciting, and new, if a little intimidating. She's curious how one teacher can properly teach so many students at once, and how it is to spar with someone who is equally matched or even less matched in your skills. She's only ever sparred with people much more powerful than herself. And to have clan members mix with civilians and non-clan members, being taught equally! It seems amazing!

"Yes," Itachi agrees. "I will not be on any missions during the duration of your stay here, unless urgently needed. You are my responsibility while you are here. Normally, I would pick my brother up from school whenever I'm free. We can do that tomorrow."

Elated, Sakura smiles up at him. She'll get to meet his brother! "That sounds like fun! You must be such a good brother, I wish I had a sibling too. But he'll be my brother one day, won't he? When we marry. Perhaps he can be my friend for now? Like you? Only you'll be my husband, not my brother!"

She sees him watching her with fond amusement, unaware of the looks of astonishment some of the entourage of his clan members sport as they follow them down the streets of Konoha. He inclines his head. "I'm sure he will want to befriend his future sister. You are closer in age, and might make a better friend to him than me."

Wrinkling her nose, Sakura shakes her head. "No one is a better friend than you! I'm sure Sasuke thinks so too."

A quiet laugh is his response, to which she smiles proudly. Itachi isn't a loud-mouthed boy, unlike any other teenaged boy she's seen, and though he is a great talker he is soft-spoken. He might not grin wide enough to show his teeth, or burst out in a bellylaugh, but his smiles are sincere and his laughs warm. It's a victory to elicit either response, because it makes her feel good to know she's caused that. It's what friendship is, she thinks. Also, he is so very pretty when he smiles, and beautiful when he laughs. She hasn't seen him in person since that precious week a year ago, but now she has three weeks of her own to spend with him in his home. She is very, very excited to get to know even more about her friend, and the place he grew up in, the place he is protecting. The place where his precious people are.

The place where she'll be one day.